Christmas Eve 2015

On Christmas Eve we celebrated Christmas with our family.  Danny wasn't home this year. We missed him. A lot.  Next year, kiddo!  We went to the candle light service at church with Max and Kassie at five.  Sam and Angela came after work.

Hubby grilled flank steak, I sauteed a big batch of baby bella mushrooms to serve a long side the steak.  We had ranch potatoes, Caesar salad and snow salad and berries with dinner.

Mid afternoon I went up into the attic to get the napkin rings and spotted a box of English Christmas crackers.  I added them to the table.  If you aren't familiar, crackers pop when opened and have a hat, a riddle and a prize inside.

This time the prizes just happened to be mustaches,

Angela had never had a Christmas cracker before and was a tad frightened.  She thought it was another crazy Dutch tradition.  Uhmmm, no, it's English.

Everything is more fun with a hat and a 'stash!

And then there was the uni brow...

After dinner we opened gifts. 

Max had Sam close his eyes and then reached behind the sofa to surprise him with his gift.  It was wrapped in zip ties.  Many, closely woven zip ties!

Hubby and I gave each couple a Whirly popcorn popper, with popcorn, toppings and games.  Sam and Max started cranking, it's the sound of their childhood.  I got our popper for a wedding shower gift and it still makes good popcorn.  Hubby has made a lot of kettle corn  over the years.

After gifts, we had Creme Brulee for dessert with little holly candles on top.  Nothing is better than a flaming dessert.

Hubby and I learned how to play Dutch Blitz with Sam and Angela.  It's a fun game.

We were blessed with a fun family night, good food and thoughtful gift giving.

My Girls

 Tradition!  One of my favorites during the Christmas season is the annual girls night with SherylShellyDoreen.  Since 1983, whether we need it on not, we have dinner and gifts.  This year we started at Doreen's house for the annual photo shoot, then on to Keenan's for dinner(it was delicious) and gifts, and then to Sheryl's house for a nightcap and goodies.  We love this tradition and try to make it last as long as possible.

Since Shelly is always painting something on the farm.  I gave her a book all about paint colors.  She found her favorite color, orange.

Sheryl loves french fries so this little sign about being happier that a bird with a french fry reminded me of her.

I gave Doreen an assortment of goodies involving her love of wine and her little red VW convertible.  Sheryl gave every one a beautiful scarf, which became a sarong for our beach gal, Dor.

Shelly gave Sheryl and me the Christmas Farm Chicks book, to celebrate our trip to the Farm Chicks Show that we took in June.   The books didn't come in the mail in time.

Bummer... So we had to get together again last night to pick up our books.  There was a lot of laughs and we totally overstayed our welcome.  Nothing new there!
You know you have good friends when you can mark your inheritance on their treasures.
Tacky?  Possibly.  Good friends? Definitely!

And It's Okay

 This Christmas will be different.  December was different this year as we began the month planning my Dad's funeral.  We won't celebrate Christmas where I grew up because my folks moved to town in May.  Danny came home to be with family in early December and to celebrate his Grandpa's life so he won't be home for Christmas.   And it's okay.

I didn't put up all of my Christmas decorations this year, time and motivation were factors.

And it's okay.

 I  didn't get my Eddie Bauer snow globe collection displayed this year.  The stockings aren't hung, the Santa pictures of the guys are not hanging in the hall.  There is no garland on the stair case. The Hallmark Merry Miniatures are still in the attic.

And it's okay.

 Not all of the shiney brites are on the tree.  I find myself focusing on the ones that are on the tree and really enjoying them. Taking pictures of the tree and seeing what's on instead of focusing on what is not.  

And it's okay.

I didn't follow any lists from the kids this year.  I just listened for hints and thought about what they maybe needed and didn't even know they needed it.  Yesterday, I wrapped gifts and had time to enjoy the process, choosing paper, ribbons and tags with some thought.  No homemade gifts this year.

And it's okay.

 Last night Hubby and I should have been in town running errands, finishing shopping and loading up at Costco.  Instead, we slowed down, we sat in the sitting room and enjoyed the lights, each other and a cocktail.

And it's okay.

Sometimes the less, the slower pace, accepting the different, the just okay, is fine.

It's given me time to slow down, and to be present for what is right in front of me, my family, our home, my Mom's grief and for the Christ in Christmas.

And it's okay.

Always Learning

On Saturday I went on the Bethany Holiday Homes Tour with Shelly and Jean.  The homes were beautiful.  Since I have been there, done that regarding the tour, I really appreciate the home owners.  It's a lot of work and vulnerability on their part.

We saw a lot of creativity and I like to learn from others so I'll share some decorator tips I learned on the tour.

1. A vignette in an old aquarium is beautiful.  I also learned that though I thought I'd thrown our old aquarium into the garbage, Hubby saved me from myself and took it out. 

 2. Take the cabinet doors off of just one cupboard and add depth and display to a bank of cabinets.

 3. Christmas peeps on a stick are really cute in the hot cocoa bar.

 4. To hang a poster use an old yard stick and clips.  This is an easy way to change the art and keep it fresh.  It's also much less expensive than framing.

5. I can finally use some of the old window frames I have to frame a group of pictures.

 6. Clear picture corners exist.

7. Modern and vintage can be mixed tastefully, and no one does it better that my Aunt Judy.

8. Tricia knows how to make lighted marquee signs and I want to make one.  

I'll be calling her for tips.

 9. I have hung garlands and ornaments on antlers but not lights.  I like it.  I have some antlers I've been thinking about painting and these green ones sealed the deal.

 10. We are having a mild December, so why not add poinsettia to outside pots that are in protected areas?  Easy and pretty on the porch.

 11.  Nothing new here, just that I have good girlfriends.

12. The ollie bollen on the home tour is amazing.  It's the best!

Hello, my name is Tami

I am going with a shiny brite theme this year.  Dump a pile of vintage ornaments into a bowl or tray, add a string of copper lights and sprinkle with snow.  Ta Dah!  It's like instant Christmas, it's pretty, simple and makes me smile.

 Hubby helped me decorate the tree this year.  We moved the furniture around the living room until we lost count and started repeat configurations.  Our globe is in a more prominent spot so I added Santa flying over the North Pole.

 It was really great to have Hubby help me this year but there was a down side.  He now has some idea of the extent of my vintage ornament collection.  He'd like to send me to a 12 step program.  If we can find a program specific to vintage Christmas, I'm all in... After all, there may be people there ready to give up and I could have their stuff too.  Dear Hubby, there is no cure, but nice try. 

We didn't put all of the ornaments on the tree this year, but there are still hundreds and it looks good.

I love blurry Christmas tree pictures.  So much!

I had a surprise visit from BeckyBeck yesterday while at work.  All the way from MO!  She is here to celebrate her BFF and my little sis's 50th birthday.

We made a surprise visit to Holly and toured her Christmas home.

 Holly has 22 trees of varying sizes and themes.  We had to sing Oh Holly Night.

It's inspiring to visit Holly, every time.  She was on the Bethany Holiday Homes tour last year.

I am excited to visit the homes on tour tomorrow.  It's always fun and inspirational.

Grandiflora has tickets or you can get a ticket at any of the homes.

See you there!

Take a Deep Breath

There is always good that comes out of the bad and last week was no exception.  I lost my Dad but I got to spend time with my guys.  I was blessed by friends and family, kind words, thoughtful cards, delicious meals and beautiful flowers.  There were tears but also so much laughter as we celebrated Dad and our memories.

 It was good to just be with my guys and their girls.  It was good to be with my Mom and family for planning and dinners.  It was good to be with my Dad's brothers and sister.  It was good to see so many at Dad's service. Thank you so much.

Last December, we had made reservations in Seattle for this past weekend.  We had tickets to go to the Winter Beer Fest at Hanger 30 in Magnuson Park with Mark and Karen.  Hubby and I were thinking it wouldn't happen, that we wouldn't be able to leave my folks; however, it actually worked to go and for us to take Danny. Hubby took him to the airport early on Saturday morning.

We did some Christmas shopping, walked in the rain and enjoyed the window displays, and we watched the Seahawks soundly beat the Minnesota Vikings.  It's a perfect storm when I can watch the Hawks win, enjoy brunch and walk over to Crate and Barrel during half time.  A win win for sure.

I am continuing to decorate for Christmas.  The living room and kitchen are getting Christmas light this year, some things will be different.  Christmas will be different without my Dad.  Danny won't be coming back for Christmas this year.  It's Christmastime, my favorite time of year, and I think there will still be blessings.  

God is good.

*Later, I will share the eulogy from Dad's service.  People have asked, it's coming...